When you think about high-level, lucrative sales jobs, direct sales doesn't often come to mind.
But, according to online job postings at some of the biggest direct-sellers, companies are hiring for sales management and corporate positions along with adding to their independent direct-sell forces.
And, according to Selling Power magazine's annual ranking of the largest sales forces in America, it's the only sales sector that actually added jobs this year. Direct-selling companies posted a 2% increase in the number of salespeople they employ this year, and a 6% increase last year.
All the other categories -- manufacturing, services and insurance -- showed declines.
So who's hiring among the top direct-sellers in the country? We rounded up five companies to find out what they look for.
Avon Products
Number of U.S. salespeople: 5,400,000
The Fortune 500 member no longer just hires door-to-door "Avon ladies". According to their careers website, there are 185 job openings in sales and sales management positions, all over the country and the world. A typical district sales manager position requires at least three years of experience, with experience in multi-level marketing. Bilinguals skills are also important to Avon in certain markets. Avon's largest markets outside of the U.S. are Brazil, Russia and China.
Mary Kay
Number of U.S. salespeople: 2,000,000
The Addison, Tex.-based skin care and cosmetics company's sales corporate jobs involve working with direct-sellers to manage best practices and sales training. Staff work with the company's sales education department and the tech department to make sure the independent sales force is able to do their job and is equipped with necessary skills. At least three years experience in web-based technology is required.
Tupperware
Number of U.S. salespeople: 2,000,000
The ever-expanding company, which recently made news when it broke into the Indian market, employs salespeople in its Tupperware brands team. It prides itself on recognizing good sellers and rewarding them with big prizes, including vacations and cars. Tupperware consultants gain sales training and materials, but are essentially entrepreneurs. However, there are openings for sales managers who work with independent consultants to train them.
Arbonne International
Number of U.S. salespeople: 1,135,116
The personal care, cosmetics and nutritional products does business in the U.S. and abroad, including in Canada, Australia and the U.K. Positions are open in the corporate office for regional sales directors and sales training managers. The company is trying to increase the number of its Hispanic independent sellers, so regional directors with at least 5 years of selling experience in Hispanic markets, and bilingual skills are in demand.
Jafra
Number of U.S. salespeople: 500,000
The cosmetics and skincare brand operates in dozens of markets around the globe. Apart from direct-sellers, it is also looking for sales reps on its corporate side. Employees will work at Jafra's Thousand Oaks, Calif. office. Regional sales managers are also needed, especially ones with bilingual skills. A minimum of two years of sales experience is needed.
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There are a lot of salespeople in America. Roughly one in every fourteen Americans works in a large sales force, according to Selling Power magazine. The 500 largest sales forces in the U.S. employ almost 22 million salespeople. That is an increase from about 2%, or 300,000 salespeople, from last year.
The 2010 ranking of the SP500 includes companies in manufacturing, services, insurance, automotive-dealers and direct-sellers.
The states with the largest number of SP500 companies are New York, California and Illinois.
Write to Shareen Pathak
